It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Allen (Tom) Anderson on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
Tom was born on August 4, 1952, in Billings, MT, to Andy and Dee Anderson. The family spent a few years living in Worland Wyoming, before moving to Helena. Tom graduated from Helena High in 1971, attended Western Christian College in Weyburn, Saskatchewan and later graduated from Oklahoma Christian College in Oklahoma City, OK with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Tom was preceded in death by his father Andy, his mother Dee, his brother Randy and son-in-law Dustin (Dub) Campbell. He is survived by his wife Glenda, daughters Kerri Cronquist (Robert) of Fort Drum, New York, Darci Anderson Campbell and Staci Brower both of Helena, his brother Shaun (Dara) Anderson of Helena and his sister Denny Straker (Kim) of Airdrie, Alberta, Canada. He is also survived by his granddaughters, Audrey, Emma and Rori Cronquist, and Lola Moon, as well as many nieces and nephews and his best girl Rose.
His 4-legged friends Grizz, Troy, Sunny, Mac, Bubbi and his feathered friend Larry the bird also preceded him in death.
Tom and Glenda married on April 4, 1975, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After a few months in Oklahoma so Glenda could finish her college degree, they moved to Helena permanently.
Tom had a varied career, he worked at his father’s businesses, Construction Supply and A&L Garage Doors, installing garage doors and remodeling kitchens. When the Helena Church of Christ started a private school, Tom became the principal, a teacher and coach at Big Sky Christian Academy. After the school closed his friend Dick Subry hired him to be a programmer at Applied Management Corporation. He worked there for several years until he became the full-time minister at the Helena Church of Christ.
Tom retired as the Worship Leader of the South Hills Church of Christ in 2018.
Tom was blessed to be able to go on several mission trips. He traveled to Belgium and made 2 trips to Honduras to the orphanage Little Hands Big Hearts. On his second trip to Honduras Darci accompanied him. He loved that experience with her.
Tom loved music. He had a wonderful singing voice and enjoyed playing the guitar. When his granddaughter Audrey took up violin lessons, he started teaching himself violin as well. He enjoyed all types of music, from Bluegrass to Queen. Symphony Under the Stars was always a fun night.
Tom and Glenda traveled to Germany twice while their daughter Kerri and son-in-law, 1st SGT Robert Cronquist were stationed there. On their second trip, Darci and Staci went with them. They visited France, Poland, Austria and Holland. He was gifted 5 square feet of land in Scotland by Darci and holds the title of Lord Thomas Allen Anderson.
Tom had varied interests. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. For many years, he took groups of church youth on canoe trips. He also enjoyed woodworking and had fashioned himself a great woodworking shop in Glenda’s side of the garage.
Tom enjoyed sports, from coaching various teams to watching his daughter’s playing sports. He had an eclectic mix of teams he cheered for. He enjoyed watching the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball team, the Colorado Avalanche and the Boston Celtics. He had a love/hate relationship with the Denver Broncos.
Tom was a night owl. His favorite time of day was when everyone went to bed and he could snack and watch old westerns until he fell asleep on the couch.
A memorial service for Tom will be held Saturday, January 21st at 1 p.m. at the South Hills Church of Christ and will be live streamed on the church YouTube channel.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday January 21, 2023
South Hills Church of Christ
2294 Deerfield Lane
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday January 21, 2023
South Hills Church of Christ
2294 Deerfield Lane
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday January 21, 2023
South Hills Church of Christ
2294 Deerfield Lane
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday January 21, 2023
South Hills Church of Christ
2294 Deerfield Lane
Helena, Montana 59601
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Diane Steinle says
My dear Brother. I’ll never forget you. You leave a huge void.
Bek Wilson says
Tom and Glenda treated me like their own family. They believed and helped carry me through one of the most difficult times of my life. I will treasure every memory. I love you dearly. And mourning with your family.
DORRIE LOVE says
Lance and I feel it was a great honor to know Tom. He was such a strong man of faith! Tom & Glenda instantly made us feel loved when we arrived in Montana. They are filled with goodness & kindness.Tom ran a good race and earned his crown! I will look forward to our reunion in heaven someday!
Jo Carr says
Tom made me feel welcomed from the first time I attended Helena Church of Christ and thru my years at SHCC. Glenda and family my prayers go out for you especially for the next weeks and months.
Shaun Peterson says
It was a blessing and pleasure to know Tom. The world is a better place because of him and his love for the Lord. I miss him deeply, until we meet again.
Mark Brazle says
I am a better person for having known Tom! His quiet leadership was a great example! A delight to be around! Thank God for TA!!
Tim Crabb says
I enjoyed Mr. Anderson’s life example and the fact that he helped me grow up and that was certainly a difficult task. I was not the best student, athlete, singer, or Bible memory kid but you helped me do those things better. I don’t think I ever really said thank you for all you did for me along with the Helena Church of Christ community. So thank you Mr. Anderson. Happy trails until we meet again.
Bill and Gen Lewis says
Take a Lot of comfort knowing there are many prayers for your time of grieving as well as numerous offerings of thanksgiving for the time we knew and shared with all of your family. Remember Psalms 30:5, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Steve Peterson says
Tom you will be forever remembered and missed. I’ve the pleasure of praying with you, knowing you, exchanging stories with you. The church, the congregation, the AV group, and all that knew you will forever remember you, your smile, and your laugh. RIP Tom we will meet again.
Nick & Sharon Turner says
Dear Glenda, Tom was always a gentle, kind, encouraging friend to us.
Our lives are much richer for having known Tom on our journey, on this earth.
We will continue to hold you, near to the heart of God, as you navigate life without ‘your Tom’, a giant of a man, who so clearly & humbly walked with God.
Love, Nick & Sharon
Mark and Brenda Young says
Tom was always an “encourager” whether it was at church or in the field. We enjoyed knowing him over these last few years as he took groups to serve at the Little Hands, Big Hearts mission in Honduras. When Tom was in Honduras he was in his element, always looking for ways to help other people — man, woman, or child. On several trips to visit Helena, he always welcomed us with open arms and treated us with great hospitality. We are sad to learn of his death but know the Lord has received a true servant into His kingdom of heaven. He truly epitomized the kind of person we are called to be in Micah 6:8 as one who “goes justly, loves mercy, and walks humbly with God.” Blessed to have known Tom! Love in Christ, Mark and Brenda Young, missionaries in Trujillo, Colon, Honduras